Fuel, fares, and lost hours can add up fast, but it's not something many of us properly calculate when purchasing a home. 

New OpenAgent analysis shows that driving just 10 km to work can drain $25.80 a week in petrol — about $38,700 over a working life — while catching public transport across two fare zones adds more than $46 a week to the household budget. 

If you’re looking to buy in the Perth property market, understanding that dollar-and-time trade-off could change which suburb lands on your shortlist.

Depending on which suburb you're based in, driving to an office in the CBD may seem like the simplest and most convenient option. 

But it's well worth crunching the numbers to understand just how much the commute could be costing you, as our data analysis below shows.

If you’re looking to buy within 10km of work, these suburbs offer median house prices under $1 million without sacrificing lifestyle or amenities.

• Perth CBD: Rivervale ($837,500), Tuart Hill ($867,500), Yokine ($975,000), Victoria Park ($985,700)
• Fremantle: Hamilton Hill ($860,000), Hilton ($962,500), Willagee ($975,000)
• Joondalup: Heathridge ($805,000), Beldon ($870,000), Edgewater ($886,250), Currambine ($950,000)
• Perth Airport: Belmont ($790,000), High Wycombe ($720,000), Forrestfield ($720,000)
• Osborne Park: Balcatta ($834,000), Tuart Hill ($867,500), Innaloo ($882,500)
• Canning Vale: Thornlie ($700,000), Huntingdale ($705,250), Harrisdale ($851,000)

Anil Singh, Property Partner at The Agency in Perth, says, “Yokine is pretty sought after, Vic Park as well, and because you've got the mix of types of dwellings there, it still makes it somewhat affordable to get into.”

“The key thing about these areas, Vic Park in particular, is the infrastructure, cafe strip, and all the lifestyle facilities.”

Is public transport the cheaper alternative?

In most cases, you'd typically expect public transport to be a more budget-friendly option for commuters, provided it's available and convenient to your suburb. 

But how do you strike the perfect balance between housing affordability and the time and money spent on getting to and from work?

Those commuting to work on public transport with SmartRider will typically pay either $31.50 per week if travelling within a single zone or $46.80 per week if travelling across multiple.

If you’re commuting into the CBD, living within about an 8km radius keeps you in a single fare zone, saving you $15.30 a week or around $32,130 over your working life.

Glendalough came out on top as Perth’s most affordable suburb for those commuting via public transport into the CBD, offering a quick commute of just over 3 hours a week, or 38 minutes a day, despite its affordable median house and unit prices.

Singh mentions that Victoria Park and Glendalough are well-connected to greater Perth via public transport.

“You’ve got the best of both worlds with buses and trains,” says Singh.

Striking the balance between affordability and convenience

OpenAgent has spent over 440,000 minutes in the last year talking to buyers, sellers and owners, many of whom are trying to balance their desire for space or lower home prices with the reality of long commutes.

“Nationally, COVID pushed many people further out in search of space and lifestyle, and ongoing affordability pressures have kept them there, but with hybrid and in-office work making a return, commute time is once again becoming a key factor,” says Johanna Urrutia, Co-CEO of OpenAgent.

“It's no longer just about what you’re paying in dollars, but also what you’re giving up in time, quality of life and mental load,” says Urrutia.

For those looking for a more affordable alternative to Victoria Park, Rivervale is the next best option and is only 6 to 7km out of the city.

“You've got good public transport as well as running paths or riding paths straight into the city,” says Singh.

“Once you go 20 to 25 minutes out of the city, trying to get into the city if you're working there does become problematic with peak hour traffic, but what you also tend to find with a lot of those suburbs, the routes for public transport aren’t that great as well.”

Urratia notes that it’s worth considering buying in a suburb that’s closer to your work, even if it’s more expensive.

“While the upfront property price might be higher, a shorter commute could save you thousands in travel expenses, and hours of your life, while also offering better long-term capital growth.”

Methodology:

Public transport commute times were based on peak times to either Perth City Station, Perth Underground or Perth Busport, whichever was fastest. Public transport costs were taken from Transperth. Approximate fuel consumption and costs were based on FuelWatch and ABS. Lifetime cost assumes 250 working days per year over a 42-year career.